Ticker

EU extends Russia blacklist for six months

EU countries have opted to extend the life of visa bans and asset freezes on Russians deemed to be "undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine" for six months. Ambassadors made the decision in Brussels on Tuesday, with justice ministers to formalise the move on 14 September. The list covers 153 people and 40 entities. Some of them are senior Kremlin aides and personal friends of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Opinion

It seems as if the EU and some member states are trying to 'sell' European external action in Italy, Austria, Poland and Hungary as a key to solving internal issues – and thus pulling these missions into today's populist debates.

Most UK voters in a YouGov survey said they would remain part of the European Union should a second referendum be held now. The poll follows reports the EU is willing to make a concession on British exit demands.